STAY-AT-HOME holidaymakers turning to pedal power and camping have helped steer cycle and auto-parts retailer Halfords to bumper profits.

Halfords reported a better-than-expected 24 per cent jump in half-year pre-tax profits to £60.9million, on sales up 3.8 per cent to £425.1million, buoyed by record demand for camping gear and good growth in children’s bikes.

The group said it had benefited from this summer’s “staycation” fad . “We tapped into the UK holiday trend very well,” said chief executive David Wild. “We expect the trend to survive beyond the recession with more family camping and cycling trips.” Commuters taking to bikes to save money and boost their health also helped sales.

The group’s “we fit” car maintenance service did well, benefiting from the demise of independent garages, but satnav sales continued to fall. Wild forecast a second-half profit rise but remained cautious about the economy: “Rising unemployment and VAT means it’s difficult to know the consumer’s mood.”

Shareholders’ dividend is up 20 per cent to 6p. The shares fell 13fp to 418bp.